Interview with a Librarian: Jennifer Neafsey

I was excited to talk with Jennifer Neafsey, the school library media specialist at Loris Middle School, about how she uses the AASL Shared Foundation “Engage” with the students in her school. I am more familiar with how school libraries function within elementary schools, so I was eager to learn more about school libraries on a middle school level. I am glad I was able to have a conversation with her because it gave me some insight and ideas for ways I could engage students in the future as a school librarian.

The questions I asked Jennifer were as follows:

Questions:

1. What are some examples of the ways in which you are implementing these competencies in your library program?
2. What are some of the resources in your library program that you are using to implement these competencies?
3. Do any of the competencies that you are implementing include collaboration with classroom teachers? If so, please provide examples.
4. What are some of the challenges that you face when trying to implement these competencies?
5. Are there any other comments that you would like to make regarding the Shared Foundation / Competencies and Domains?

The answers Jennifer provided to the questions above are outlined below:

1. Jennifer informed me that she works closely with the 8th grade students when they work on National History Day research projects. She relayed these projects specifically require in depth research of primary and secondary sources, so it is necessary she works diligently with them. She said this is important also because students learn how to cite sources appropriately and why it is important. She provided another example, saying that she works with 7th graders on their Soil & Water Essays, adding these also require use and proper citation of research. With 6th graders, she conducts a simple biographical research project, and introduces basic citations for students to start practicing on their assignments and projects.
2. Jennifer conveyed that all students in Loris Middle school utilize Discus and WorldCat to locate reliable sources any time they are completing an assignment or project.
3. I was glad to hear Jennifer confirm that all of her lessons are collaborations with classroom teachers. She noted that sometimes the collaborations are extensions of what teachers are doing in the classroom.  She also attends weekly department planning sessions to stay aware of what topics and standards are being addressed in the classroom, which I thought was really great!
4. The biggest challenge Jennifer noted is weaning the students off of Google. They have discussions on how information consumers consider the purpose of the search and she compares this logic for students by asking, “Is it for a good recipe for chicken or do we have to back up an opinion in an essay for a teacher?” She noted a second challenge that is prominent for her in her library, which is teaching all students the skill of paraphrasing information. She says it is difficult for students to understand that paraphrasing involves changing more than just one word. She noted all students struggle with this skill every year and it can be difficult to teach them how to understand this concept.
5. With regards to extending personal learning, Jennifer conveyed she collaborates with teachers on multimedia projects.  She stated that teachers want to provide students with choices when presenting information so she assists them with this. With Jennifer’s help, the teachers can provide students with multiple choices to create products throughout the year such as podcasts, animations, movies, and more to present their learning. 

In talking with Jennifer, I realized there are several differences when it comes to elementary school libraries and middle school libraries. The challenges, collaborations, and teachings have such a diverse range of needs. This made me confirm my previously understood notion that it is crucial for elementary school librarians to not only engage in lessons with teachers and students, but become deeply engaged with student learning, so they are prepared for the next learning stage. This is also why I have always wanted to be an elementary school librarian from the start–I want to instill knowledge, a love for reading, and 21st century skills in the youngest of students so they carry these capabilities through their growth academically and as a person.